JLR executives met Georgia Governor Nathan Deal last month to discuss opening a factory in his state.

Jaguar Land Rover executives met Georgia Governor Nathan Deal last month to discuss opening a factory in his state, a U.S. newspaper reported.

Merry Hunter Hipp, a spokeswoman for the governor, said the Deal "made prospect calls." while on an economic development trip to England, where he also visited Pinewood Studios, which has a facility near Atlanta.

She declined to comment on the reported meeting with Jaguar Land Rover. "We do not discuss the calls due to the sensitive nature of these ongoing business communications," Hipp said in an email.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the meeting, citing unidentified people with knowledge of the matter.

In October, the UK's Sunday Times said Jaguar Land Rover is talking with several southern U.S. states about financial support for a factory that would eventually produce 200,000 vehicles a year.

A U.S. plant would enable JLR to avoid import tariffs and reduce averse effects of fluctuating currency rates, the paper said.

Jaguar Land Rover opened a new plant in China last year and plans to open a factory in Brazil in 2016. The UK luxury carmaker has expanded its product lineup and global presence since Tata Motors bought the company from Ford Motor in 2008.

The U.S. South's importance to the auto industry is increasing.

Mercedes-Benz USA, which has a plant in Alabama, is moving its headquarters to the Atlanta region from Montvale, New Jersey. BMW, Kia Motors and Volkswagen have factories in the region. Porsche has its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta.

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JANUARY USA SALES - JLR - Jaguar down (not a surprise) Land Rover up (not a surprise)

• Jaguar Land Rover U.S. January sales increase 9 percent for best January since 2004
• Land Rover up 13 percent to set new U.S. January sales record
• Three Land Rover models: Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each have best ever U.S. January sales
• Jaguar F-TYPE delivers 70 percent increase with coupe and convertible lineup.

Jaguar Land Rover North America today reported January 2015 U.S. sales: Land Rover sales reached 5,281 units up 13 percent from 4,674 units in January 2014; Jaguar sales were 1,266 units, down 6 percent from 1,347 units in January 2014. Jaguar Land Rover North America January U.S. sales for both brands hit 6,547 units, a 9 percent increase from 6,021 units in January 2014. 

For the full year 2014, Jaguar Land Rover U.S. sales were up with 67,238 units sold in 2014 compared to 66,962 in 2013. For the full year 2014 the Land Rover brand established an all-time annual high for U.S. sales of 51,465.

"We are pleased to start 2015 with continued growth in so many of our models from Jaguar F-TYPE to Range Rover Evoque," said Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America. "For the Land Rover brand, we continued our record setting sales pace from 2014 to have our best January U.S. sales month ever."

U.S. BRAND HIGHLIGHTS

Land Rover

Land Rover established a new January U.S. sales record with 5,281 units sold.  Three Land Rover models: Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each had best ever U.S. January sales

The Range Rover Evoque hit 1,403 units in January, increasing 60 percent from 879 units in January, 2014. The Range Rover Sport hit 1,752 units in January, increasing 9 percent from 1,612 units in January, 2014. The Range Rover hit 1,481 units in January, increasing 21 percent from 1,221 units in January, 2014.

For the full year 2014, Land Rover brand U.S. sales reached a new all-time high of 51,465 units. Full year sales were led by the brand volume leader Range Rover Sport with 17,897 sales up 12 percent; Range Rover with 12,830 sales up 5 percent and Range Rover Evoque with 12,440 sales up 9 percent.

Land Rover's 2015 model year line-up features five models: The 240-hp turbocharged 2.0 liter LR2, Range Rover Evoque; the LR4 powered by a 340-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6 engine; the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover, available with either a 340-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6 or 510-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 powertrain. In Spring, 2015, the brand adds the 2015 MY Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Jaguar

For the month of January, Jaguar decreased 6 percent to 1,266 from 1,347 units in January 2014 on slower sales of its sedan models. The Jaguar F-TYPE continues to grow with an increase of 70 percent to 301 units from 118 in January 2014. In 2015, the 16 MY Jaguar F-TYPE will newly be available with options of all-wheel drive and a manual transmission.

The 2015 Jaguar line-up features four models: The Jaguar XJ luxury sedan, powered by a 340-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6 in rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive configuration, a 470-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 or a 550-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the XJR model. 

The Jaguar XF sports sedan powered by a 240-hp turbocharged four cylinder engine, a 340-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6 in rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive configurations, a 470-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8, a 510-hp Supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the XFR, and a 550-hp Supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the XFR-S. The XK coupe and convertible grand touring models are powered by either a 385-hp 5.0 liter V8 or a 510-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the XKR. 

Jaguar also offers the Jaguar XKR-S coupe and convertible with a 550-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8.  Joining the 2015 F-TYPE line-up is the new F-TYPE Coupe powered by either a 340-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6, a 380-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6 in the F-TYPE S Coupe, or a 550-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the F-TYPE R Coupe. The F-TYPE convertible will remain available with three engine variants, a 340-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6, a 380-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6 in the F-TYPE S convertible, or a 495-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the F-TYPE V8 S convertible model.

In 2016 the Jaguar lineup in the U.S. will expand with the addition of the Jaguar XE compact sports sedan and the Jaguar F-PACE performance crossover.

Jaguar Land Rover Receives A Special Award For Its Incontroltm Smart Connectivity Technology.

Jaguar Land Rover Receives A Special Award For Its Incontrol^tm Smart Connectivity Technology From Leading German Magazines

• The editors of Auto Bild and Computer Bild gave Jaguar Land Rover their prestigious ‘Pioneer Award’ 2014
• Jaguar Land Rover’s innovative InControl^TM connectivity system has been honoured as part of the ‘Connected Car Award 2014’ reader survey
• The InControl^TM system allows drivers to remotely connect with the car and access the industry-leading InControl Apps^TM to improve the driving experience for both iPhone and Android users

Jaguar Land Rover has been awarded the prestigious ‘Pioneer Award’ for its InControl^TM smart connectivity and infotainment system by two leading German magazines. Editors of Auto Bild and Computer Bild gave the award as part of the reader’s choice “Connected Car Award 2014”.

Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart, Group Engineering Director at Jaguar Land Rover, accepted the award and said: “We are very proud to receive such an important technology award in Germany. It will inspire our engineers to develop even more innovative and pioneering technology to delight our Jaguar and Land Rover customers around the world. It is a great honour for Jaguar Land Rover to be recognised as an automotive company at the cutting edge of innovation.”

The InControl Apps^TMsystem enables the driver to remotely connect with the car, to view information and give the car instructions from their phone such as remote locking, checking fuel levels, or even heating or cooling the car before you get to it.

A suite of supported apps, such as calendars, parking space finder and infotainment tools, allows drivers and passengers to connect to information and entertainment to improve the driving experience. 

Each of these apps has been optimised in their display and functionality to make them controllable via the car’s touchscreen and voice, to minimise distraction and make them ‘Right for Driving’. It is like having your smartphone installed in your dashboard.

Auto Bild recognised how Jaguar Land Rover has created an innovative, cross-platform way for customers to connect to their car. Auto Bild said:

“Jaguar Land Rover has developed its own system that supports both Android and iOS (iPhone) operating systems. InControl^TM Remote also enables remote control of various vehicle functions via the apps system."

Developed in cooperation with technology partner BOSCH SoftTech, InControl Apps^TM is a bridge between the smartphone and the car. It helps customers to seamlessly control their apps from their car – and their car from their phone.

Jaguar Land Rover was at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month, where Seeing Machines demonstrated its cutting-edge Driver Monitor System (DMS) in a Jaguar F-Type prototype on the Intel stand. 

The innovative system tracks the driver’s eyes and alerts the driver when they aren’t looking at the road, even if they are wearing sunglasses. DMS could be used to alert the driver to hazards earlier, or even enhance the settings of on-board safety systems, to reflect the driver's lack of attention.

Jaguar Land Rover launches new & bespoke training programme to help Ex-Servicemen.

• Jaguar Land Rover launches a new and bespoke training programme to help Early Service Leavers seek employment
• 10 Midlands based ex-military personnel join the first programme at the automotive company’s Solihull manufacturing plant
• Training programme reflects Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to the skills agenda and reinforces legacy to former service personnel following the Invictus Games

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK’s largest automotive employer, has launched the first cohort of a new and bespoke training course for ex-military personnel.

10 candidates began the new training course this week at the automotive manufacturer’s Solihull plant, designed to give them confidence and employability skills which will help them secure employment. The 10, who are currently unemployed since leaving the services, all hope to secure employment and will be encouraged to apply for the recently-announced 1,300 job vacancies at the plant once the six week course has been completed.

During the course, participants will spend four weeks in the plant’s Education Business Partnership Centre completing relevant qualifications to prepare them for working in the engineering and manufacturing industry, and employability skills. They will then complete a two week work experience placement in the plant’s brand new, world-class manufacturing facilities which will produce the new Jaguar XE to gain an insight into career opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

One participating candidate - Michael Connolly, aged 19, from Chelmsley Wood in Birmingham, said: “I spent three years as a Private in the Infantry and left as my contract had finished. All I have known is the Infantry and it’s daunting to know how to find another career in the civilian world. I am really excited about what Jaguar Land Rover has to offer and I hope to one day climb the career ladder with them.”

Jaguar Land Rover’s new, industry first ‘Inspiring Tomorrow’s Workforce: Military' programme addresses the social and economic issues of high unemployment among former service personnel.

24,000 ex-military left the forces in 2014 and thousands more are expected to leave this year. Many of these will be Early Service Leavers, who depart before completing four years’ service with no or few military qualifications and little civilian work experience, which can make it more difficult for them to find work.

The ‘Inspiring Tomorrow’s Workforce: Military’ programme has been developed by Jaguar Land Rover’s education partner Birmingham Metropolitan College to help Early Service Leavers prepare for jobs in the automotive sector. The course builds on the company’s ‘Inspiring Tomorrow’s Workforce’ traineeship programme which offers dedicated training for unemployed young people, aged 16 to 24, who have struggled to find a job.

Alan Volkaerts, Operations Director at Solihull, commented: “Already at Jaguar Land Rover we have recruited over 100 ex-military personnel in the last year, the majority here in Solihull. They have valuable skills that can be directly transferred to the automotive industry. Through working with ex-military staff and helping them strengthen their employability skills and relevant work experience, we can make a positive contribution to society as well as increasing the talent pool for our growing business.”

Jaguar Land Rover developed its traineeship and military courses as part of its Business in the Community ‘Responsible Business of the Year’ legacy programme, which aims to make a significant, long-term impact on local and global communities. Jaguar Land Rover was the first ever manufacturer to win the UK’s top responsible business award in July 2013 for placing sustainability at the heart of its business strategy. 

Jaguar Land Rover is proud to be signed up to the Armed Forces corporate covenant which supports the reintegration of the military forces into successful civilian careers and supports a wide range of events linked to the military.

Jaguar Land Rover reveals its ‘Bike Sense’ research

• Jaguar Land Rover reveals its ‘Bike Sense’ research, which will tap the driver on the shoulder and ring a bicycle bell inside the car to help prevent accidents involving bicycles and motorbikes
• With nearly 19,000 cyclists killed or injured on UK roads every year, Jaguar Land Rover researchers are identifying the best warning colours and sounds that will trigger an instinctive response from the driver to prevent accidents
• Door handles will ‘buzz’ the driver’s hand to prevent doors being opened into the path of bikes
• The accelerator pedal will vibrate if moving the car would cause an accident
• ‘Bike Sense’ is a concept technology that is being developed at Jaguar Land Rover’s Advanced Research Centre in the UK

Jaguar Land Rover is developing a range of new technologies that would use colours, sounds and touch inside the car to alert drivers to potential hazards and prevent accidents involving bicycles and motorbikes.

Sensors on the car will detect when another road user is approaching and identify it as bicycle or motorbike. Bike Sense will then make the driver aware of the potential hazard before the driver sees it.

But rather than using a generic warning icon or sound, which takes time for the driver’s brain to process, Bike Sense uses lights and sounds that the driver will instinctively associate with the potential danger.

To help the driver understand where the bike is in relation to their car, the audio system will make it sound as if a bicycle bell or motorbike horn is coming through the speaker nearest the bike, so the driver immediately understands the direction the cyclist is coming from.

If a bicycle or motorbike is coming up the road behind the car, Bike Sense will detect if it is overtaking or coming past the vehicle on the inside, and the top of the car seat will extend to ‘tap’ the driver on the left or right shoulder. The idea is that the driver will then instinctively look over that shoulder to identify the potential hazard.

As the cyclist gets closer to the car, a matrix of LED lights on the window sills, dashboard and windscreen pillars will glow amber and then red as the bike approaches. The movement of these red and amber lights across these surfaces will also highlight the direction the bike is taking.

Dr Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Human beings have developed an instinctive awareness of danger over thousands of years. Certain colours like red and yellow will trigger an immediate response, while everyone recognises the sound of a bicycle bell.

“Bike Sense takes us beyond the current technologies of hazard indicators and icons in wing mirrors, to optimising the location of light, sound and touch to enhance this intuition. This creates warnings that allow a faster cognitive reaction as they engage the brain’s instinctive responses. 

If you see the dashboard glowing red in your peripheral vision, you will be drawn to it and understand straight away that another road user is approaching that part of your vehicle.”

If a group of cyclists, motorbikes or pedestrians were moving around the car on a busy urban street, the system would intelligently prioritise the nearest hazards so the driver would not be overwhelmed or distracted with light or sound.

Bike Sense would also be able to identify hazards that the driver cannot see. If a pedestrian or cyclist is crossing the road, and they are obscured by a stationary vehicle for example, the car’s sensors will detect this and draw the driver’s attention to the hazard using directional light and sound.

If the driver ignores the warnings and presses the accelerator, Bike Sense will make the accelerator pedal vibrate or feel stiff, so the driver instinctively knows not to move the car forwards until the hazard has been avoided.

Bike Sense will also help prevent vehicle doors being opened into the path of bikes when the vehicle is parked. Bike Sense would warn all passengers of an approaching cyclist, motorbike or car through sound and light inside the vehicle. If any passenger continues to open the door, the door handle will light up, vibrate and buzz to alert them to the danger.

“By engaging the instincts, Bike Sense has the potential to bridge the gap between the safety and hazard detection systems in the car and the driver and their passengers,” added Dr Epple. “This could reduce the risk of accidents with all road users by increasing the speed of response and ensuring the correct action is taken to prevent an accident happening.”

1300 more jobs for Jaguar Land Rover as sales fly high.

• 1,300 new jobs created with further development of lightweight vehicle technologies.
• Breakthrough Jaguar performance crossover to be built at world-leading Solihull plant.
• UK’s leading manufacturing investor set to extend expertise in aluminium as second Jaguar model comes to ‘factory within a factory’.

Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to create 1,300 new jobs as it continues to accelerate its industry-leading expertise in aluminium and lightweight technologies. The news comes following confirmation that the UK’s largest manufacturing investor will add a further new Jaguar model to its product portfolio. The Jaguar performance crossover, set to go on sale in 2016, follows the Jaguar XE into the new facilities within the world-renowned Solihull plant.

This latest announcement from the Detroit auto show will see Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull manufacturing plant continue to develop its world-class capability in aluminium vehicle construction for which the company is synonymous. It also marks the start of an incredible year for the British manufacturer who will deliver 12 significant product actions in the next 12 months alone.

Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth said: “Today’s announcements once again demonstrate our commitment to the UK and the advancement of a high-tech, high skilled, manufacturing-led economy.  

“Jaguar Land Rover is committed to delivering more great products. It is that innovation and relentless quest for new technologies that sets our products apart. We want to offer customers greater choice, with even more exciting vehicles, crafted with that special British flair. We want to improve the quality of life for our customers and for our own employees, creating opportunities for more people to be part of the Jaguar Land Rover experience.”

To support the introduction of its new aluminium and lightweight technologies Jaguar Land Rover has already invested £1.5bn. 

The new facilities represent the largest single investment in the Solihull plant in its 70 year history and created an impressive ‘factory within a factory’. Incorporating Europe’s largest aluminum body shop and final assembly hall - collectively the size of 22 football pitches, the new state-of-the-art facilities bring the Jaguar brand to Solihull for the first time, and continues to showcase the company’s pioneering leadership in aluminum vehicle construction which dates back to 2003 with the introduction of the seventh generation Jaguar XJ.

As a result of the continued developments at Solihull, Jaguar Land Rover is creating an additional 1,300 new jobs at the site. Applications for the new roles are now being accepted and following its commitment to enhancing employment opportunities for former service personnel in the wake of the Invictus Games, Jaguar Land Rover is welcoming applications from military personnel who are leaving or have left the services.

The expansion of the Solihull site is the outward expression of the continued drive to reinvigorate every aspect of the company. Today, the plant builds world-renowned vehicles such as the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery and is home to the iconic Defender. Most recently, the site has welcomed the first Jaguar in its history, with the introduction of the new Jaguar XE, which begins production in the Spring.

Jaguar Land Rover continues on its path of measured and sustainable growth with record full year retail sales in 2014 of 462,678, double that of 2008. A 2014/15 fiscal year investment of £3.75bn in product creation has seen the introduction of a host of new and exciting products and business expansion. The company’s headcount has increased to 32,000, 10,000 more than were employed just four years ago.

Jaguar Land Rover reports further year increases for a 5th successive year.

• Jaguar Land Rover delivers solid full year global sales retailing 462,678 vehicles in 2014, up 9%
• Jaguar delivers strongest full year performance in nearly a decade retailing 81,570 vehicles, up 6%
• Land Rover retails in high demand: 381,108 in 2014, up 9%
• Sales up across all key regions
• Global sales driven by award winning product portfolio

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK's leading manufacturer of premium luxury vehicles has achieved solid sales performance in 2014, retailing 462,678 vehicles, up 9% versus prior year. This is the company’s 5^thsuccessive year of growth in sales.

Commenting on the full year performance Andy Goss, Jaguar Land Rover Group Sales Operations Director, said:  “Jaguar Land Rover has once again outperformed prior year performance, with retails up across all of our key regions.  With 12 significant new product actions planned for 2015 and the introduction of the new Jaguar XE and the Land Rover Discovery Sport, we anticipate retailing over half a million vehicles for the first time in the company’s history.

“2014 has been a year of significant achievements for Jaguar Land Rover, recognised by more than 100 international awards. We aim to make 2015 even better, by creating ever more exciting cars that deliver great customer experiences.”

Jaguar Land Rover’s global performance for the full year 2014 shows a balanced portfolio with sales up across all key regions: 122,010 in the China Region, up 28%; 96,505 for Overseas, up 1%; 86,310 in Europe, up 3%; 82,872 in the UK, up 7% and 74,981 in North America, up 2%.

Land Rover had its best ever year with sales reaching 381,108, up 9% year-on-year. The company sold more Range Rovers, Range Rover Sports and Range Rover Evoques in 2014 than ever before, on the back of continued strong customer demand.

Jaguar sales were up 6% for the year, retailing 81,570 vehicles. The F-TYPE, which has just completed its first full year of sales, continues to raise brand awareness around the world. The XF consistently drives Jaguar volumes and in 2014 has recorded its best year of sales to date. This is Jaguar’s strongest full year performance in nearly a decade.  

Jaguar Land Rover has collected over 100 international awards and honoursin 2014 for its products and for many other areas of the business. Heading the list is a prestigious 2014 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, reflecting sustained success with global exports to over 170 countries. The official citation recognised Jaguar Land Rover’s “outstanding overseas sales growth over the last three years”.

It has also been a historic year for manufacturing, with the business expanding from three plants to five. Jaguar Land Rover opened its first ever overseas manufacturing plant, in China, as well as a new Engine Manufacturing Centre in the West Midlands. This facility, together with major recent investment and increased headcount at Castle Bromwich, Halewood and Solihull, underlines Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to the UK.